Two More Book Reports

Beth M's Pick:
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
This was really good and just okay at the same time. I loved reading and learning about another culture - the Hmong. The Hmong originally lived in the mountains in Laos but due to allying themselves with the USA and working for us during the Vietnam War, they were shunned by their neighbors and were forced to immigrate from their homeland. This book is primarily about a family that deals with their daughter "contracting" epilepsy and how the American culture (who sees epilepsy as an affliction and the physical body in need of healing) and the Hmong culture (who sees epilepsy as a gift and the body's spirits more important than the pysical body) clash in their treatment of this little girl. Secondarily, it talks about the history of the Hmong and how they ended up in America and about their cutlure. It is an amazing, eye-opening book. The part that makes it "just okay" is that it drones on at times making it hard to read but in the end does a good job of presenting all the information. A VERY thought-provoking book! Are you interested in knowing more about the Hmong?

Beth P's Pick:
Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald
This was a really good time of me to read this book. The last several books we've read have been pretty heavy in nature but this book was fictional (with an infomative theme about Iranian life, especially Iranian women) and a lighter read. I enjoyed it very much. It is about a Iranian woman that was given the chance to get a tourist visa to America and was now on a quest to find a husband so that she could get her green card. Along with displaying the fundamental differences in life there in Iran (pronounced "EE-rahn") and America, it did a great job in uncovering some of the differences between cultures' expectations of marriage too. A very good read....

Next is The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

No! Way!

Well, Greyson (and his parents) have been SO blessed that he hasn't been very sick during his life as of yet. He gave us that one scare at about 4 months but otherwise, he has been a *very* healthy kid. Praise the Lord!! This might be why it surprised so much to hear that he has DOUBLE EAR INFECTIONS! I happened to be taking him to the doctor for this weird burn-looking thing on his hands and little bumps all over his legs and arms. The doc looked him over like normal and said she wasn't really concerned about the thing on hands and that (however he got them) they were healing up and just to keep them moist with lotion. The bumps she called an "excemia-type" dry skin condition and use lotion on that too. Then she asks, "Has he been more fussy than usual?" No... And then she goes on in her calm manner, "Because he has nasty looking infections in both ears." What!?!? Ben and I had NO IDEA! We went through a number of ear infections with Madelyn and always knew that they were coming on. With Greyson, he isn't playing with his ears, not too fussy, not lethargic... seemingly nothing wrong. It threw me for a loop. Looking back, he has been sucking on hands and asking for sippy cups a lot lately.... maybe the sucking makes his ears feel better. But that is the only behavioral symptoms I can come up with. It is only by the grace of God that it was found now though, because we are flying in a little over a week to see my parents. Man, to think of how that could have turned out with a double ear infectioned kid or if we would have had to find a doctor there! Much better to find them now! Thank you, God!

On a different note, it was absolutely beautiful today, almost HOT! 70* and sunny! After the temps being in the mid-30*'s it was shock to the system. It was hard to keep from putting on jackets to go outside (since we've had to put on jackets/coats/snowsuits for the last 6 months!). It will settle out into something a little more spring-like soon! My tulips , daffodils, and irises are peeking out of the ground. I will have to take pictures and share (hopefully, I won't forget!). Right now, I'm preparing seedlings for my garden and they are doing great! It is amazing watching them grow so quickly. I can't wait to actually put them in the ground. Unfortunately I still have about 4 weeks to wait.... more about that later.

March and Easter Pictures

I'm trying something new with Picasa... tell if this doesn't work for you!! Enjoy!

Spring is here, at least for the last couple days

Well, the forecast says that we're in for another cold snap but at least for now it is warm.... we're out enjoying it!

The seedlings spend the warm day outside.
wagon rides for everyone!

looking good!
videos for you to enjoy...

Our Family "Story"

For better or for worse, my family has adopted a weekly tradition. We "watch Ty" on Sunday nights. We eat dinner and throw the kids into the bath in time to have them in pj's and ready to turn on the tele-y by 7 to watch extreme makeover: home edition. We like it and the kids seem to like the family sitdown time too. Something funny happened today though. Today the kids and I were toodling around town returning some things, shopping at Target, the norm. When we got home, Madelyn busted out with "Did Ty build our house?" My answer: "No, sweetie, Ty doesn't build all the houses, just some." :) Funny girl....